Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-09-02
THE LAM0ILLE VETERANS.
THEIR ANNUAL REUNION AT NOR
RlSVlLLE YESTERDAY.
Their Ranks Reviewed by Gov. Ormsbee-
Speeches by the Governor and Capt.
Blodgett-A Sham Fight and
Competitive Drill

great success. The weather, unfortunate
ly, was decidedly unpleasant at the open
ing, but the enthusiasm of the veterans
was not to he lessened by any such trivial
affair as rain and mud and there was
fully twice as many upon the grounds
during the day than was expected by
those having the largest expectations, and
the meeting and greeting of old comrades
was made even more enjoyable The fun
expected programme could not be fully
carried out, as rain fell so continuously
until the latter part of the afternoon and
the day was spent in organizing and en-
rolling the veterans, and the relating of
war stories by comrades now brought to.
gether for the first time for years perhaps.
several bands and drum corps were pres.
ent and added much to the spirit of the
occasion. One feature of the reunion
Wnlcn mas not been seen at any of the re-
unions previously held, is the presence of
a mounted cavalry company, who hold
their first reunion in many years At
tlI1es curing the day when rain was not
railing too heavily, the different infantry
ORGANIZATIONS were drilled and at O'Clock
the cavalry went through their manmu-
VreS on the flat inside the race course
and Immediately following the cavalry to-
gether with the infantry formed in dress
parade. BLACK Betsey," the 12pound
cannon owned by Morrisville Post, was
heard from at intervals during the day, a
national salute being fired at sunset
KAN ceased to TALL and the latter part of
Uhe afternoon and the evening was spent
very ,enJoyably. The principal event of
the day. was the torchlight procession
which formed upon the grounds at 7.3O
and marched to the village The citizens
mad shown great enthusiasm during the
DAY IN decorating residences and business
places and the place looked in its best
dress. The efforts of all to show respect
10 the citizen soldiery and the event
which mas brought them together is high
~ appreciated. The display OF flags, bunt.
ing and lanterns was something ON a
inuch grander scale than has ever
been seen here. The streets were filed
all along the line of march, and the scene
was truly brilliant one, and one not
equaled outside the larger cities. The
panuS 9i music, drum corps, torches,
colored lights, rockets and the Illuminated
buildings all combined made a grand
slght. "A rev private decorations are GER
fanny worthy OF mention, and include the
business places of Hendee e. Fish, Morris
vile house, g. w. Currier, f. S. Robinson,
n n II T. SSioc9mi and the residences OF Hon
+. h. Gleed, Judge Powers, EX-Gov. Hen
dee, A. o; Gates, W. 5. Cheney, Capt
kenfeld, but the list is growing too long
All were good and they are too numerous
to mention. Having completed the line
OF march, the troops returned to their
camping place where the camp fires were
lighted, and the night scenes of army life
again realized.
IO-day's programme was a gratifying
success IN every respect, the attendance
being between 1000 and 1000. The weather
was fine and the days programme very
enjoyable. The camp was astir at an
early hour ana the forenoon was spent in
nd in,
time The annual meeting of the associa-
tlon was held, electing Col Sawyer of
hyde Park president Mai Stafford of
Morrisvllle, adjutant; Austin Wilkins
OF MorrlstoWn, quartermaster vice presi-
dents were elected from each post in the
ASSOCIATIONS also committee TO draft
a permanent organization. His Excel
lency Governor Ormsbee, arrived on
the noon train from the west, and after
dinner at the Moorisville House was es.
corted to the camp by detachment of
cavalry ana the Craitsbury cornet band
IN the carriage with the governor drawn
by Tour noises were eX Gov G. w Hen
dee, state inspector of finance C. :.
Age OF Hyde Park and Department Com
mander Capt. p. Il. Blodgett of St. Johns
bury.
Immediately after the governors ar
rival upon the grounds che troops
We're drawn up in review before His
EXcellency, and party who were seated
IN the Judges stand. President G. w.
Doty to weom much credit is due for the
success OF the reunion introduced Gov
Ormsbee to the troops. The governor
lheh proceeded with brief remarks which
were very interesting and well
received. His remarks were addressed to
his comrades and were much in the line of
"reminiscences and also relative to the
monumental battlefield of the world"
gettysburg, and the part taken in that
2attle by the Vermont troops. Capt.
Blodgett followed with spirited remarks
Whlch were received with ringing cheers.
A poem was rendered by the author,
Comrade Thomas Of Waterville. Follow,
ing the speaking a competition drill was
participated III by three companies from
Wolcott,, Morrisville and Hyde Park.
capt. Blodgett, &. >. Page and Mr..
combined purse amounting to $40. was
gwen Wolcott first, Morrisvile second,
Hyde Park third. Following the drill a
very realistic sham fight was engaged in
by all the troops, bringing to a successful
close reunion which will long be pleas
antly remembered.
Reunion of Windsor County Veterans at
Chester.
Despite the rain the Windsor county
veterans turned out in large number to
the NTH annual reunion at Chester, We'd
nesday. Early trains and private convey
ahces brought IN some 800 soldiers, and
with them came the Bellows Fails, Wood
stock, LUDLOW and Springfield bands,
which entertained the crowds until 10
O'Clock. Then II procession was formed
and marched through the main streets.
Gov. Ormsbee and staff, together with
other prominent citizens of the State, be
ing in carriages. An excellent dinner was
then served by the ladies of the town.
after which came speaking Elk Gov
Proctor was president of the day, and the
speakers were Col. T. NJ Mansur, Coy.
Ormsbee, Lieut.. Gov. Fuller, Coils. q. W.
Hooker OF Brattleboro, Albert Clarke of
Judge Hugh Henry and Major William
Rounds OF Chester. Dir, Bryant of Wood
stock and Gen. Shaw of Providence, X. /
1t was, voted to hold next yeay's reunion
at Ludlow.